On his continued quest to bring more business to Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’s planned a trip to Europe seeking new foreign trade and investment. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says they want to go global in efforts to attract new jobs to Louisiana…:
CUT 6 (10) “in our state”
He says they’ll be going to Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Jindal leaves Sunday and will be back January 20th.

The Ouachita Parish Fire Department says a woman died in a house blaze early this morning in Monroe. They say the call came in around 330am and they were unable to get the flames out in time to save the woman. Investigators are currently working the scene to determine the cause of the blaze. No other details about the victim are being released at this time.

The freezing temperatures that have descended on the state has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage the weather could have on their crops. Regina Bracy, with the LSU AgCenter, says sub freezing temps can have disastrous effects on the strawberry harvest. But Bracy adds that strawberry plants can take the cold…:
CUT 3 (09) “a few berries”
She says the spring harvest may be a little delayed due to damage to the crop from the winter weather.

Meanwhile Louisianians are bundled up on this extremely chilly day. The National Weather Service in New Orleans says the low temperature in Baton Rouge and Slidell tied a record of 20-degrees…:
CUT 9 (09) “interesting thing”
Meteorologist Phil Grisby says it will be cold all afternoon and again tonight with wind chill readings in the low 30s.

It’s what most everybody is talking about today, it’s cold outside. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re getting another blast of that polar vortex…:
CUT 8 (12) “Gulf coast”
He says we should see things get back to normal over the weekend.

Today Governor Bobby Jindal announced he’ll be taking an economic development mission to Europe to cultivate more foreign-direct investment opportunities and increased trade between Louisiana and the European region. Jindal says he has meetings in Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland with corporate executives of manufacturing and services industries. He leaves Sunday and will be back January 20th.

We’re almost to that predicted $2 mark. The American Automobile Association says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $2.01.

Festivities begin today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

Scratch another name off the list of potential defensive coordinators for LSU. Penn State’s Bob Shoop interviewed with head coach Les Miles but has decided to stay in Happy Valley and has signed a new 3 year contract with the Nittany Lions.

The Louisiana Lottery says there were no big winners in last night’s big drawings. The Powerball prize goes to an estimated $162 million dollars for Saturday.

It’s a cold morning in Louisiana as we’re experiencing some of the coldest temperatures we’ve seen in nearly a year. State Climatologist Barry Keim says these temps are the result of another polar vortex bearing down on the state. He says not only is the air temperature colder than normal, but we are also seeing some bone chilling wind chill readings…

cut 9 (10) “wind chill temperatures”

Keim says freezing temperatures are expected for the next two nights, as well.

Festivities are underway commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says events include a Marine band concert, fireworks display, and battle reenactments…

cut 6 (09) “in Chalmette”

Dardenne says this is a great event to learn more about Louisiana history.

If you’d like to try to save money on your homeowners and auto insurance, the Department of Insurance has enhanced its online tool to help consumers find a better rate. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (31) “reporting”

Shreveport Police has arrested a teenager accused of a Wednesday night shooting that sent a teenage girl to the hospital. Investigators say it appears 17-year-old Carlton Jenkins mishandled a handgun and accidentally shot the 14-year-old victim in the abdomen. Her injuries are considered non life-threatening. Jenkins is charged with illegal use of a weapon. The investigation is ongoing.

It’s a very frosty start to the morning in Louisiana. Scott Carwile has more…

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The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is looking for the person responsible for knocking out a Monroe teacher’s aid and sending him to the hospital yesterday afternoon. In the incident caught on video, they say David Payne was trying to break up a fight between two teenage girls when someone came from behind and knocked him out cold. Payne suffered three facial fractures and bleeding on the brain and, at last report, was listed in stable condition. Authorities say the suspect will be charged with second degree aggravated battery.

If you want to save money on your homeowners and auto insurance, the Department of Insurance has enhanced its “Shop Your Rates” online tool to help consumers find a better rate. Commissioner Jim Donelon says there are substantial savings to be had by shopping around and comparing companies and rates…

cut 15 (09) “they are backed up”

You can shop around online at ldi-dot-la-dot-gov.

49-year-old Will Hayden, the former star of the now-cancelled reality TV series Sons of Guns, is set to be arraigned in Baton Rouge today. Hayden allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl sometime between March 2013 and August 2014 then again when she was 12. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this case will be largely based on what physical evidence is presented…

cut 11 (06) “cases”

Hayden also faces rape charges in Livingston Parish.

Freeze warnings remain in effect for all of Louisiana this morning. Temperatures are in the teens for the northern half of the state and not much warmer along the coast. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we are experiencing another polar vortex…

cut 8 (12) “Gulf coast”

Wind chill advisories are are also in effect for much of the state.

The former star of the now-cancelled reality TV series Sons of Guns is set to be arraigned in Baton Rouge today. 49-year-old Will Hayden of Greenwell Springs is accused of raping two preteen girls more that 20 years apart. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Hayden will likely plea not guilty…

cut 10 (12) “for the case”

Hayden also faces rape charges in Livingston Parish.

If you’re looking to save money on your homeowners and auto insurance, the Department of Insurance has upgraded its online tool to help you find a better rate. Commissioner Jim Donelon says Louisiana has done better than any state in the nation at replacing large insurance companies, with smaller regional carriers…

cut 14 (12) “substantial dollars”

The “Shop Your Rates” guides are online at ldi-dot-la-dot-gov.

Festivities begin today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says special events will last throughout the weekend. He says today’s festivities include a concert by the Marine band in Jackson Square at 7PM…

cut 5 (07) “commemorate the battle”

Dardenne says this battle marked the end to hostilities between the US and Great Britain and the British Ambassador to the United States will be on hand to commemorate the event.

Freezing temperatures across Louisiana as you get up and at ’em this morning. We’re seeing temperatures in the teens for the northern half of the state and it’s not much warmer along the coast. State Climatologist Barry Keim says be prepared for what will be a cold day…

cut 7 (05) “acting up again”

Freeze warnings remain in effect for all of Louisiana this morning.

If you’d like to try to save money on your homeowners and auto insurance, the Department of Insurance has enhanced its online tool to help consumers find a better rate. Commissioner Jim Donelon says you can enter specific information into the new website like your age, or how many miles you drive and other things that set rates for insurance…

cut 13 (09) “in their marketplace”

The “Shop Your Rates” guides can be accessed at ldi-dot-la-dot-gov.

Festivities begin today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. As part of the War of 1812, the battle culminated in a US victory over the British in Chalmette on January 8, 1815. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says this was one of the most important battles fought on American soil…

cut 4 (11) “moment in history”

Dardenne says this victory enabled America to continue to expand westward and cemented Louisiana’s role as part of the United States. He says special events will last throughout the weekend.

Artic air is moving into Louisiana. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning urges residents not to use their stove or stove top as a way to heat your home…
cut 5 (10) “….for that”
And Browning says if you’re using a space heater, make sure it’s at least several feet away from anything that could catch on fire.

Republican Doctor Bill Cassidy is getting used to his new surroundings as a US Senator on Capitol Hill. Scott Carwile has more…
voicer 4 (29) “….reporting”

The State Department of Transportation announces a plan to widen a portion of I-10 between Lafayette and St. Martin Parishes. DOTD spokesperson Diedra Druilhet says construction will take place where I-10 meets I-49 all the way to Breaux Bridge. She says the estimated cost of this project will be in the neighborhood of $125 million…:
CUT 6 (07) “the project done”
She says this is the first of three projects that will widen or improve I-10 from Lafayette to the Atchafalaya Basin.

An Abbeville High School teacher is in trouble over allegations he had sex with one of his female students. Cops say 36-year-old Nicholas Willis is the accused and Kaplan Police Chief Boyd Adams says they learned from Abbeville Police that the alleged incident occurred Willis’ home in Kaplan…
CUT 13 (09) “arrested Mr.s Willis”
Willis was charged with Felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.